With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
How Southern California Has Influenced The State’s Lead Negotiator On The Colorado River
Listen
• 37:25
Hamby works out of his office at the Imperial Irrigation District in El Centro.
(
Zaydee Sanchez
/
LAist
)
Topline:
The newest season of Imperfect Paradise is about the negotiations to keep a hugely important source of California’s water, the Colorado River, from drying up. In Part 2, how growing up in a desert farming region shaped the way JB Hamby, California’s 28-year old lead negotiator, thinks about water — and how his perspective has changed after a year of working on the river.
Why it matters: The Colorado River provides about 30% of SoCal’s drinking water. The Imperial Valley, where Hamby grew up, raises almost all the vegetables we eat in the winter — using exclusively Colorado River water.
As climate change and overuse shrink the river, it threatens California’s access to the water. Without that water, food prices would jump, farms towns would become ghost towns, and cities would be forced to ration water.
Support for LAist comes from
The backstory: High-stakes talks are currently underway between the seven states that use Colorado River water. Each has a lead negotiator. Their goal? Keep the river from dropping so low that no water would pass through the big dams — meaning no water for California.
Why you should listen: To meet the bolo-tie wearing, chicken-raising, 28-year-old river history nerd representing the biggest user of Colorado River water: California.
How can I listen? Here's Part 2:
New episodes of Imperfect Paradise: The Gen Z Water Dealmaker publish Wednesdays wherever you get your podcasts, on LAist.com, and on broadcast at LAist 89.3 the following Sunday.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent. -
Kevin Lacy has an obsession with documenting California’s forgotten and decaying places. -
Restaurants share resources in the food hall in West Adams as Los Angeles reckons with increasing restaurant closures.
Best of LAist